Measurements of feed intake and samples of feeds, refusals, feces, rumen fluid, and blood were made during the 21 days of each period. Rumen fluid and blood samples were collected at 0, 2, 4 and 6 h-post feeding while urine and feces from total
collection of each individual buffalo were made during the last 7 days of each period. The samples were stored at−20 °C before analysis, while feces, collected daily in each period, were bulked, mixed and a 50 g/kg sub-sample taken for later chemical analysis.